Package spring group



March 14, 1961 G. F. coucH PACKAGE SPRING GROUP Filed May 28, 1957 4 G IF FIG. 3

/4 l2 l6 I8 15 r/////////// I Inventor: F Glenn E Couch his AttorneyUnited States Patent PACKAGE SPRING GROUP Glenn F. Couch, Bergen, N.Y.,assignor to Symington Wayne Corporation, a corporation of Maryland FiledMay 28, 1957, Ser. No. 662,164

Claims. (Cl. 267-9) This invention relates to a package spring group forthe snubbed resilient support of a bolster or other member of a railwaytruck.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved packagespring group for resiliently supporting a bolster or other member whilesnubbing movement of that member relative to the member on which it issupported in a multiplicity of angularly related directions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved package springgroup wherein relative movement of its top and bottom spring plates in amultiplicity of angularly related directions is frictionally resisted byfriction shoe means having a multiplicity of friction faces eachextending in one of the directions and acted on by coil spring meanswhich are oblique to each of the directions.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved packagespring group of the character above described wherein the snubbing isperformed by a friction shoe having a multiplicity of angularly relatedsubstantially horizontally and vertically directed faces and springurged to act on a plurality of faces against angularly related frictionsurfaces on the spring plate by which it is carried and on another faceagainst a friction surface on the other spring plate.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved packagespring group, capable of snubbing relative movement of the membersbetween which it is interposed in a multiplicity of angularly relateddirections, which is relatively simple and rugged in construction,readily assemblable and disassemblable and effective in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter inthe detailed description, be particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims and be illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of thepackage spring group of the present invention with portions broken awayand shown in section to more clearly illustrate certain of the detailsof construction;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in verticalsection, taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 ofFigure l; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the lines5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like referencecharacters designate like parts, the improved package spring group ofthe present invention is insertible between a pair of relatively movablemembers of a railway truck for the sunbbed resilient support of thesupported member. Generally, it will be employed for sup porting abolster 1 on a side frame 2, either directly or, if the truck (notshown) is of the spring-plank type, through an intervening spring plank3.

ICC

In the exemplary form illustrated, the package spring group orself-snubbed spring package is comprised of top and bottom spring plates4 and 5 respectively, vertically spaced by a plurality of supportingcoil springs 6. The top and bottom spring plates 4 and 5 are shown asengaging the vertically spaced confronting faces of the bolster 1 andspring plank 3, respectively, and conveniently may be held againsthorizontal movement relative thereto by positioning studs 7 integralwith the plates, those of the bottom plate 5 seating in the spring plank3. The supporting springs 6 in turn may have their ends positionedagainst movement relative to the top and bottom spring plates 4 and 5 byperipheral flanges or skirts 8, each partly bounding one of the platesand extending therefrom toward the other and conforming substantially tothe contour of the supporting springs.

As is well known, coil springs, if permitted to oscillate freely underload, will develop a periodicity in oscillation with consequent damageto lading. The package spring group of this invention is designed notonly to dampen or snub the oscillations of the supporting springs 6under vertical load when the top and bottom spring plates 4 and 5 movevertically relative to each' other, but also to snub or frictionallyresist relative movement of the spring plates and therethrough themembers supporting and supported by the spring group in a plurality ofother angularly related directions. Applied between the side frame 2 andbolster 1, the package spring group of the present invention is designedspecifically to snub relative movement of these members vertically andboth longitudinally and transversely or laterally of the side frame. Thesnubbing means or device by which this is accomplished is disposed at aside of the package spring group and, to minimize the transversedimension ofthe portion thereof within the Window opening (not shown) inthe side frame 2, preferably is contained in an end portion of thepackage spring group projecting orextending outboardly or outwardly ofboth the window opening and the supporting springs 6.

In the preferred embodiment, the snubbing means'is comprised of ahousing'9 downstanding or extending downwardly from the top spring plate4 in the direction of the bottom spring plate 5. Open at its outer'or'outboard end 10, the housing 9 has a pair of transversely spaced,vertically directed or extending side walls "11 which conveniently maybe formed as extensions ofth'e sides of the peripheral flange 8depending or downstanding.

from the top spring plate. The side walls ll are connected at the top byan upper or top web or wall 12 closing the upper end of the housing 9and conveniently formed in its turn as an extension of the baseplate-'=13.

of the top spring plate. At either side of the housing '9 there isprovided a pocket 14 in which is received or seated a friction shoe 15having a multiplicity of anguand 11 of the housing 9. Thus, the top wall16 of each 7 9 shoe has a substantially flat horizontally directedfriction face 18 engageable with a substantially flat, horizontallydirected friction surface or under face 19 of.

the top wall 12 of the housing, while the side wall lil of the shoe hasa substantially flat verticallydirected side friction face 20 engageablewith a substantially flat y er j tically directed friction surface 21 onor carriedby the inner face of the side wall 11 of the housing? I l Eachofthe friction shoes 15' also has a vertically rected outboard or outerend wall 22 having or carrying on its outer face a substantially flat,correspondingly directed end friction face 23. This end friction faceprojects beyond the open outer end 1% of the downstanding or upperhousing 9 and is adapted to frictionally engage a vertically directedend friction surface 24 on or carried by an outboard or outer end wall25 integral or rigid with and upstanding or directed upwardly from thebottom outboard end of the bottom spring plate in the direction of thetop spring plate 4. Reinforced at the sides by vertically directed orupstanding side webs, walls or gussets 26 which, like the side walls 11of the upper housing 9, may be formed as extensions of the sides of theassociated of the peripheral flanges 8, the end wall 25 with the sideWebs 26 forms a casing, shell or lower housing 27 which both verticallyoverlaps and is spaced horizontally outwardly of the side walls 11 andend of the upper housing. With each of the upper and lower housings 9and 27 open in the direction of the other housing and the spring plateof which it is a part and the upper housing both embraced by andtelescopingly received in the lower housing, the housings are enabled tomove vertically relative to each other and, by virtue of the horizontalspacing of their sides and ends, also are capable of limited relativehorizontal movement in a plurality of angularly related directions,specifically longitudinally and laterally of the associated side frame2.

In order that the friction shoes 15 may snub relative movement of thehousings 9 and 27 and therethrough the spring plates 4 and 5 and sideframe and bolster 2 and 1 in the above multiplicity of angularly relateddirections, each of the friction shoes is spring-pressed to urge itsseveral friction faces 18, and 23 into frictional engagement with theconfronting or related of the friction surfaces 19, 21 and 24 by one ora plurality of coil or like spring or resilient means 28, acting inparallel, when a plurality are employed, and in a direction inclined oroblique to or relative to each of the several friction faces andsurfaces. Each of the springs 28 seats at one end on a spring seat 29within the related of the shoes 15 and inclined or oblique incorrespondence with the inclination of the spring relative to theseveral friction faces and surfaces. At its other or inner end, each ofthe springs 28 seats on a spring seat 30 opposing or confronting anddisposed substantially parallel to one of the spring seats 29 in orcarried by the related of the shoes 15. To provide a reactance for thesprings 28, the spring seats 30 are formed on or carried by a post orcolumn 31 integral or rigid with or fixed to and downstanding ordepending from the top spring plate 4 substantially centrally thereof,intermediate or between and somewhat inwardly or inboardly of theshoe-receiving pockets 14.

With each of the shoes urged in a multiplicity of angularly relateddirections by its inclined spring or springs 27, the vertical andhorizontal side and end components of the force of the spring or springs28 maintains the angularly related friction faces 18, 20 and 23 of theshoe in engagement with the corresponding of the multiplicity ofangularly related friction surfaces 19, 21 and 24. As a consequence,relative vertical movement of the top and bottom spring plates 4 and 5is resisted by the friction engendered between the end friction face 23on each shoe and the confronting end friction surface 24 carried by thebottom spring plate 5. correspondingly, relative horizontal movement ofthe spring plates in a direction later ally with respect to theassociated side frame, whereon each shoe is pressed endwise into itspocket by the end wall 21, is frictionally resisted by the frictionengendered between the top and side friction faces 18 and 20 and theconfronting friction surfaces 19 and 21 in each pocket. Relativehorizontal movement in the third of the angularly related directions,longitudinally with respect to the associated side frame is frictionallyresisted by the engagement of the end friction face 23 and surface 24.

Carried by and movable with the upper housing 9 and top spring plate 4and relative to the lower housing 27 and bottom spring plate 5, thefriction shoes 15 effectively snub or frictionally resist the severalrelative movements permissive between the spring plates.

For holding the package spring group in assembled relation duringinstallation and removal, there may be provided in each of the sidewalls 11 of the upper housing 9, adjacent the inboard or inner extremityof the housing, a vertically elongated slot 32 through which is exposedan inner corner portion of the side wall 17 of the related of thefriction shoes 15. This wall of each shoe and the confronting side wall26 of the lower housing 27 is perforated, as at 33, these apertures orperforations aligning on partial compression of the supporting springs 6to receive, through the slot 32 in the interposed of the side walls 11,a temporary holding or retaining pin 34. The perforations 33 in the sidewalls 26 of the lower housing 27 preferably being reinforced by bosses35 and relative pivoting or fulcruming of the spring plates about thepins 34 being inhibited by engagement of the friction shoes 15 with theend wall 25, the pins '34 are effective to hold the package spring groupin assembled relation. After installation of the package spring group,the pins may be removed manually or, if this is overlooked, will soon bedislodged by the shocks to which they will be subjected in service.

From the above detailed description, it will be apparent that there hasbeen provided an improved package spring group of relatively simple andrugged construction and capable, without use of wedges, of resistingrelative movement of the top and bottom spring plates in a multi plicityof angularly related directions. It should be understood that thedescribed and disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the inventionand that all modifications are intended to be included which do notdepart from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of theappended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a package spring group, the combination with vertically spaced topand bottom spring plate members and interposed supporting springs, of afriction surface carried by one of said members, a plurality of frictionsurfaces carried by said other member and substantially normal to eachother and to said first-named friction surface, a friction shoe carryinga multiplicity of friction faces disposed substantially normal to eachother and each frictionally engageable with one of said frictionsurfaces, and resilient means acting in a direction inclined relative toand urging said several friction faces in different angularly relateddirections each into engagement with the related friction surface forfn'ctionally resisting relative movement of said spring plates.

2. In a package spring group, the combination with vertically spaced topand bottom spring plate members and interposed supporting springs of apair of housings, each fixed to one of said members and extending in thedirection of said other member, one of said housings being open-endedand telescopingly received in said other housing, a plurality ofangularly related friction surfaces in said one housing, a frictionsurface in said other housing confronting the open end of said onehousing and angularly related to the friction surfaces therein, afriction shoe pocketed in said one housing and having a multiplicity ofangularly related friction faces each frictionally engageable with oneof said friction surfaces, and spring means inclined relative to saidseveral friction faces and acting on said shoe in a multiplicity ofangularly related directions for urging said faces and surfaces intofrictional engagement and frictionally resisting relative movement ofsaid spring plates in a multiplicity of angularly related directions.

3. In a package spring group, the combination with vertically spacedtopand bottom spring plate members and interposed supporting springs of apair of housings each fixed to one of said members and extending in thedirection of said other member, one of said housings being open-endedand telescopingly received in said other housing, a plurality ofangularly related friction surfaces in said one housing, a frictionsurface in said other housing confronting the open end of said onehousing and angularly related to the friction surfaces therein, afriction shoe pocketed in said one housing and having a multiplicity ofangularly related friction faces each frictionally engageable with oneof said friction surfaces, means rigid with said one housing andextending toward said other housing, confronting substantially parallelspring seats carried by said rigid means and shoe and inclined relativeto said several faces and surfaces, and spring means seated against andacting between said spring seats in a direction inclined relative to andurging said several friction faces and surfaces into engagement forfrictionally resisting relative movement of said spring plates in amultiplicity of angularly related directions.

4. In a package spring group, the combination with vertically spaced topand bottom spring plate members and interposed supporting springs of apair of housings, each fixed to one of said members and opening towardand extending in the direction of said other member, one of saidhousings being telescopingly received in said other housing, said onehousing having transversely spaced vertically directed side walls and aconnecting, horizontally directed top wall and being open at itsoutboard end, said other housing having side walls and an end wall eachconfronting in vertically overlapping relation and horizontally spacedfrom one of the side walls and end of said one housing, a multiplicityof angularly related friction surfaces each carried by one of said top,end and firstnamed side walls, a friction shoe pocketed in said onehousing and having a multiplicity of angularly related 6 friction faceseach engageable with one of said friction surfaces, spring means actingbetween said shoe and one housing in a direction inclined relative toand urging said friction faces and surfaces into frictional engagementfor frictionally resisting relative movement of said spring plates in amultiplicity of angularly related directions, and temporary retainingmeans insertible in alignable apertures in a side of said friction shoeand one of said second-named side walls through a slot in the interposedof said first named side walls for holding said package spring group inassembled relation.

5. In a package spring group, the combination with vertically spaced topand bottom spring plate members and interposed supporting springs, of afriction surface carried by one of said members, a plurality of frictionsurfaces carried by said other member and disposed substantially normalto each other and to said first-named friction surface, a friction shoecarrying a multiplicity of friction faces disposed substantially normalto each other and each frictionally engageable with one of said frictionsurfaces, and resilient means acting in a direction inclined relative toand urging said several friction faces and surfaces into engagement forfrictionally resisting relative movement of said spring plates in amultiplicity of directions substantially normally disposed relative toeach other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

